Resources

CFA Emergency Procedures

Responsibilities:

*Who stays with the Athlete: Assistant coach/parent should always stay with the injured athlete. Never leave the athlete unattended. Make them comfortable and safe as possible.

*Who contacts absent parents: Business Managers should make a list of every player with parent/guardians names followed by contact info, (home, work, cell numbers). This list needs to stay in the coaches box and on the field for every practice and game. An assistant coach/parent needs to be assigned to contact parent.

*When to call 911: If you are ever are in doubt that this is a life-threatening situation, make the call. Know who has a phone. Contact your closest board member for assistance of the Ambulance.

*Who meets ambulance: The head coach should direct to have at least 1 Assistant/parent direct and meet the ambulance at each turn of the field to direct the ambulance to the scene. Wave your hands to make eye contact with the ambulance. Anticipate the closest and safest spot for the ambulance to roll a gurney to if needed.

*Medical records: On 3 x 5 cards, make individual cards with players name, emergency contact info and list any medical concerns that would be helpful to EMS. Allergies, contact lenses, Asthma. Confirm with the parent that this info is what they would like to have on the card.

*Control scene: The head coach should control the scene. Direct what needs to be done next and who needs to be where. Control the crowd, make sure all stay calm.

Weather

Heat

The CFA Executive Board will assign one person to monitor and collect heat data at the field. A Heat Index Machine will be used to collect the wet bulb temperature at the field by 4:30 pm of a concerning day. Concerning is when the outside temperature is greater than 90 degrees at the field. The data will consist of Wind Speed, Temperature (F), Heat Index and Wet Bulb. This information will be documented and logged in the CFA Weather Tracking log book that will be kept in the Merchandise trailer. If the wet bulb temperature is >82 degrees (F): a decision will be made by the executive board to delay practice, adapt practice, or cancel practice

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Risk Chart*

WBGT

Flag

Color

Level of Risk Comments

<65°F (<18°C)

White

Low Risk

low but still exists on the basis of risk factors

65°-73°F (18°-23°C)

Green

Moderate Risk

increases as event progresses through the day

73°-82°F (23°-28°C)

Yellow

High

Everyone should be aware of injury potential; individuals at risk should not compete

82°F-90°F (28°-32°C)

Red

Extreme

Consider rescheduling or delaying the event until safer conditions prevail; if the event must take place, be on high alert. Take steps to reduce risk factors (e.g., more and longer rest breaks, reduced practice time, reduced exercise intensity, access to shade, minimal clothing and equipment, cold tubs at practice site, etc.).

>90°F (>32°C)

Black

Hazardous

No activity.

* Guidelines adopted from the National Federation of State High School Association recommendations for Heat Stress and Athletic Participation, United States Marine Corps Heat Index, and from the National Athletic Training Association Consensus Position Statement on Exertional Heat Illnesses

Adapting practice may include: shorter practice, more water breaks, decrease equipment and or move practice inside if available.

NOTE: If at any time a parent does not feel comfortable in the situation, they may pull their child from practice or game with no penalty.

Lightning

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association recommends a proactive approach to lightning safety, including the implementation of a lightning-safety policy that identifies safe locations for shelter from the lightning hazard. At the CFA fields, direct all players/parents to their cars immediately. The Executive Board will appoint a designate a weather watcher and monitor all local weather forecasts to anticipate any threatening weather approaching. This person will have the responsibility to communicate any possible weather concerns for the day to the Executive Board. The Executive Board will then determine if any precautions need to be taken for practice or games for the day and relay this information on to all coaching staffs of each team.

*If lightning is sighted - a flash-to-bang count of 30 seconds or less should be used as a minimal determinant of when to suspend activities. Waiting 30 minutes or longer after the last flash of lightning or sound of thunder is recommended before athletic or recreational activities are resumed.

*If lightning strikes - Call 911 IMEDIATELY and monitor person for possible asystole, hypothermia, shock, fractures, and burns. CPR is effective in resuscitating pulseless victims of lightning strike. Maintenance of CPR and first-aid certification should be required of all persons involved in sports and recreational activities.

Note- This Emergency Procedure is under review throughout the year and may be revised to adapt to the conditions that occur at the CFA fields.